(OPENPRESS) Ayrshire, Scotland--Elite Ayrshire Business Circle executive chairman and Frazer Coogans Solicitors managing partner Norman Geddes is spending the first week of 2013 in Shenzhen, southern China as the guest of mineral water bottling and distribution company Ganten, the recent purchaser of Blairquhan Castle in South Ayrshire.

Also in the visiting party are Norman's wife and daughter, former Blairquhan Castle owner Sir Patrick Hunter Blair and members of his family, and Ayrshire business woman Meiqin McColm.

The objective of the visit is to promote business and cultural links between China and Ayrshire.

At the time of the purchase of Blairquhan Castle, Mr Zhou Jing Liang, owner and managing director of Ganten China, said: "Ganten wish to expand and diversify in Scotland with the aim of becoming a provider of top level accommodation and hospitality for elite Chinese and foreign tourists who desire only the best."

Their aim is to stimulate business between China and Scotland and believe that they are the trailblazers, bringing valuable investment to Scotland.

The company are very sensitive to the cultural and historical aspects of Scotland and wish their move to be seen as promoting business here and culture in China.

Mr Zhou added: "It is the wish of Ganten to bring together the cultures of China and Scotland, by encouraging even greater tourist opportunities to the ever-growing affluent Chinese market.

"Ganten wish to become a pioneering, China-based organisation who shall bring to Scotland a sound and innovative platform for mutually beneficial tourist, cultural and commercial ventures."

Elite Ayrshire Business Circle and China

Since the beginning of the current challenging economic climate, the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle has been constantly advising and encouraging its members to seek out new business opportunities in regions of the world that are still managing to achieve continuing economic growth - notably China.

In October 2011, the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle in conjunction with South Ayrshire Council held a special meeting entitled "Encouraging Trade and Business between Ayrshire and China".

Building upon these initial contacts, to further promote business and trade between Ayrshire and China, the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle arranged a meeting between the Chinese Consul-General in Scotland Mr Li Ruiyou, Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond and John Scott MSP for Ayr at the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival at Ayr Racecourse in April this year.

Most recently, in September South Ayrshire Council Leader Bill McIntosh and Provost Helen Moodie welcomed ten senior business executives from China to the County Buildings in Ayr, when they attended an Elite Ayrshire Business Circle meeting.

Members of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle had asked Councillor McIntosh to facilitate a presentation by South Ayrshire Council to tell the visitors about South Ayrshire. It was an ideal opportunity to highlight some important potential areas of investment opportunity — tourism, renewable energies, engineering, property and infrastructure.

Councillor McIntosh said: "South Ayrshire offers some fantastic opportunities, and we were delighted to welcome the high-level trade and investment delegation.

"In the current economic climate it is more important than ever that as a Council we do all that we can to facilitate new investment and long-term jobs to the area.

"We are delighted to work with members of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle to promote the businesses and people of South Ayrshire around the globe."

Elite Ayrshire Business Circle executive chairman Norman Geddes concluded: "The members of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle span many areas of knowledge and capability, and we are delighted to be able to use our connections around the globe for the benefit of Ayrshire as a whole.

"Our members Jim and Meiqin McColm have played and continue to play an integral part in our efforts to further business between Ayrshire and China, for which we offer them our thanks and appreciation."

For further information about The Elite Ayrshire Business Circle and to apply for membership, e-mail eliteayrshire@gmail.com